QF Platinum One - how successful has it really been?

[GoldenWinger]

How successful has P1 really been? Do you think it's has lived up to all the marketing hype?
I reached P1 late last year, I wasn't in the original first batch of people, but so far in experience with it, it has been largely disappointing...

A lot of marketing hype that QF hasn't really delivered on:
- unique/exclusive invitations to special events/flight simulator - haven't seen anything? Anyone else.
- enhanced international upgrade experience - tried it from Y to J on an international flight - J class was pretty wide open but upgrade came through on morning of departure meaning FFPO really doesn't get any preferential treament
- the special services unit based in CBR - most times it has a recorded message and the times they have answered it hasn't been professional. The dedicated premium desk on the 13131 is much better - always have excellent service and they know their product
- on board - haven't seen anything different really - but service has been always very professional and good.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I was in the original batch and have had a lot of flights (about 2,000 SC worth since launch) to get a real feel for it.

Here are my experiences so far:-

Upgrades - 50% success rate on points upgrades I've requested (J -> F). The 1 upgrade that did come through happened 5 days out.

Op-ups - 1 in 10 flights that I could have been upgraded on. Reading some other WP experiences, this is LOWER than some. P1 is NOT an auto-upgrade scenario like CL is.

Classic awards - I redeemed some F/J tickets over new year with a few weeks notice. Good experience and it feels like something a Plat wouldn't have had approved, but there's no way to know as it's an identical process. The original flights I wanted to get on were denied (despite VERY open availability) so it wasn't EXACTLY what I wanted (ie: they won't open ANY revenue seat as a classic), but still VERY good.

Special Experiences - John Travolta flight was incredible and totally unbeatable. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience. In my mind it certainly makes up for lacking in other areas but there are thousands of other P1's who don't have this to balance the books.

On board service - Exactly the same as Platinum, generally of good standard. A handful of intl flights I've not had any introduction at all. One flight I received an express pass and introduction where no other platinums received anything. I have mixed feelings on this.

Special services team - I've called maybe 4 or 5 times. Once called after-hours and it was forwarded to a mobile phone one of the team members takes home of a night. There is definitely a genuine desire to go 'above and beyond' and most simple requests have gone through painlessly. I can't put my finger on what's missing... I get off the phone feeling 90% satisfied. SST also needs caller ID that links into your QFF profile so I don't need to tell them my # and pin each call.

When things go wrong - Unsure - I've noticed problems before them and taken much faster action. One SYD-SIN flight I had (in F too) was delayed 6 hours (with 18 hours notice). Received SMS and took my own action to fix the problem. Even a nobody bronze flyer could have taken action at that time. I'm not sure how you can look after a P1 more than a WP, but less than a CL? Does CL get super-treatment when things go wrong and P1 is aligned to this? Impossible to know without actually having things go wrong and seeing how it pans out for a fellow plat passenger.

"Looking over your flights" - SST thought I was in AKL when I was in LAS. From my bookings you could clearly see where I currently was. They even called back to apologise. Was expecting a second apololgy call for burning $5/minute global roaming too. The positive is that they wanted to be sure I was happy with a window instead of my aisle preference. Weird because I was in 4A (selected by me) with B and C blocked. Perfect seating situation in any Y flyer's books. Infact row 4 on 73H with blocked seats is better than an upgrade in my opinion.

First Lounge Spa - Apparently P1 can call ahead and book the spa anytime. Never used it but nice to know. No idea who to call though!

Staff - A few lounge staff I've had long conversations with are genuinely interested to see what P1 members think of the new level. What is even more interesting is what THEY think of Platinum One.

epiQure - I know a lot of members are a fan of this. Personally I see zero value. No free bottle either.

Overall my gut feeling is that it's a minor step above what Platinum currently offers. QF did make a point that it's not something to strive for if you weren't already doing the miles - and that is consistant with the day2day benefits not being aligned with CL.

As I've generally got nothing better to do while flying, and my day job is to come up with commercially viable business ideas - I've put some time into thinking how P1 could be more strategically placed as a tool to generate more revenue while enhancing overall brand loyalty. From the plan and thought process behind what I've created - the only logical explanation I can come up with is that the QFF team are running this as a trial.

 

[GoldenWinger]

thanks trippin_the_rift! appreciate the detailed response

Is the SST the main point of contact or should the 131 131 number be used? Not sure. However the premium desk is fantastic so I am very comfortable calling them when needed - always had great service from them.

 

[bossreggie]

I've found P1 to be ok.

As trippin says, it's not something to chase. You either fly that much or you don't. I've already requalified and I've got 8 months left of my year.

I still call the usual number. If they can't sort things for me, then I will call SST. They do have caller ID during office hours as I've been addressed by name when calling.

With regard to booking things in the FLounge. They call me. I haven't needed to call them. However, the mobile numbers of the lounges in both SYD and MEL have not changed since they have been open. If you fly F, you should have them. I was given them as a WP when they called me to see if I required anything prior to my flight.

CL's do not get automatic upgrades. I know this, as I have seen many, many people leave the lounge and head to the back of the bus. Even Gerry and Kate Harvey who were on my flight on Saturday, were in row 5.

I think it is important to have a program which recognises the airline's most frequent flyers. I think they should make the entire 3,600 SC's be flown on Qantas flights. after all, the benefits are all Qantas based and funded by them.




Sent from my iPad using AustFreqFly App

 

[simongr]

I think it is important to have a program which recognises the airline's most frequent flyers. I think they should make the entire 3,600 SC's be flown on Qantas flights. after all, the benefits are all Qantas based and funded by them.

In reality QF's network doesn't fly everywhere that QF's fliers want to go. For example I can not get to JED on a QF flight number (QF operated or marketed). That is what the 2700 represents - the number of SCs on to be regarded as the most frequent QF fliers.

 

[awilcockson]

For example I can not get to JED on a QF flight number (QF operated or marketed)

Not to mention LHR via 2 of the 3 main gateways ...

 

[GDV 747-24/7]

Special Experiences - John Travolta flight was incredible and totally unbeatable. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience. In my mind it certainly makes up for lacking in other areas but there are thousands of other P1's who don't have this to balance the books.

I do feel they need to offer something to P1s in cities other than Sydney and Melbourne. Sydney P1s have had the launch function, the Travolta flight and the Dreamliner walk through (IIRC). I'm in Brisbane and we've seen no P1 love so far...

 

[DTM1]

I've found it pretty good so far.

Got 2 bottles of wine from epiQure as a thank you.

Most of my travel so far has been domestic Y, but I do do a fair bit of intnl J, so the points are adding up already (1,000 points in 2 months since 1 Dec membership start date).

Recently got an op-up from J-F from mel - lhr, so that was pretty good, and I also got a sin - mel upgrade from J-F in early December.

I did try to get some points seats made available on a BA flight, but they couldn't do anything, as it needs to be QF metal. Finally got an F seat on that flight (told it was the only points seat available on the plane) to find that nearly every cabin was less than 50% sold (only 4 pax in F in the newly configured 777 - made for a very nice trip though).

I see the main value being in the opportunity to get any revenue seat at classic points redemption. Have not done it yet, but will be looking to do it later this year.

cheers

 

[MichaelD]

Once the "Platinum One" started showing on boarding passes, I have noticed more love from QF.

1. I can now select all seats in Y sooner than my lowly Platinum family members (if on separate bookings).
1a. Haven't had the opportunity to test this in J as we haven't had any separate bookings, but I feel 1A is easier to pick than it used to be.

2. Don't think too much of the dedicated line the few times I've used it - the WP line generally seems to be more efficient at doing things, and I definitely don't like the idea of leaving a message.

3. I am fairly sure I'm getting more domestic op-ups than I used to (not counting the ones gifted in December). Haven't firmly concluded this yet due to not enough data points, but I reckon the December deal for WPs may be ongoing for WP1s based on an off-the-cuff remark made by the WP1 line when I recently rang to cash upgrade some Y tickets to J. My theory is that if U is available when the flight closes, I'll get the "ding which sounds like doom but is actually happiness" when I board.

4. I will be very pleased if I get a classic seat released for a family member later this year.


On the down side:

1. When I'm logged in to the Qantas site, the Frequent Flyer points calculator is broken (but it works fine for my WP family).

2. I'd be nice to have a more differentiated FF card since the launch one really just looks rushed and cheap.

 

[MichaelD]

Staff - What is even more interesting is what THEY think of Platinum One.

So what DO they think of Platinum One?

 

[Pleb Status]

When they launched WP1, one thing I noted was that most of the 'enhanced' benefits would be difficult to measure if they were being provided or not. Interesting to see how it is going in practice.

Better access to classic reward seats is one example. It would appear to be speculation wether or not more seats are actually available to a WP1 over a vanilla WP.

As a vanilla WP, one thing I have noticed since the introduction of WP1 is access to Row 23 at T-80 is now far more difficult than it used to be. Better seat selection is about the only WP1 benefit I would use on a regular basis.

 

[GDV 747-24/7]

2. I'd be nice to have a more differentiated FF card since the launch one really just looks rushed and cheap.

Other than in broad daylight you can barely make out the red "platinum one" words. There was talk of a metal card a la "Up in the Air" prior to P1 launch but Qantas instead went for "stealth mode"

 

[Mal]

2. I'd be nice to have a more differentiated FF card since the launch one really just looks rushed and cheap.

Yeah I do agree. It does look rushed, and is a very subtle mark on the card. I doubt most people would see it (vs a normal Plat card) unless they were looking closely.

 

[simongr]

As a vanilla WP, one thing I have noticed since the introduction of WP1 is access to Row 23 at T-80 is now far more difficult than it used to be. Better seat selection is about the only WP1 benefit I would use on a regular basis.

interesting observation - I haven't many issues at all getting a preferred seat in row 23 (actually was bumped from 24A to 23E today but that was due to a switch to intl config 763 from regular 763).

I might keep an eye on that. How many times in T-80 do you recheck to try and get row 23?

 

[TonyHancock]

When they launched WP1, one thing I noted was that most of the 'enhanced' benefits would be difficult to measure if they were being provided or not. Interesting to see how it is going in practice.

I think that is absolutely right, I'm trying to see if things are actually working out. That is why I am interested to see if QF are delivering confirmed international upgrades 7 days in advance for WP1 and 48 hours in advance for WP's.

Lets face it if I was a cynical marketing exec I would think I had struck gold if I could spin a bunch of benefits out which I rarely had to deliver on but my customers thought they were getting. Measurability is the marketing man's curse!!!!!!!

 

[richie9x]

I have only been Platinum one for 3 days now and haven't flown as a P1 yet. But so far the increased seat selection has been good. The ability to select row 4 on domestic 737s well before T-80 works well.

Not sure if I will get much benefit for the other features of the status level.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Other than in broad daylight you can barely make out the red "platinum one" words. There was talk of a metal card a la "Up in the Air" prior to P1 launch but Qantas instead went for "stealth mode"

Here's the Plat vs Plat1 card. You can barely see in the photo but the P1 card is lighter in colour and is not as good printing quality (blurred edges). The P1 card should be made darker - almost black and Platinum One should be BOLD and +1 font size.

Also notice "member number" instead of "platinum member".

What's interesting is the card looks very different when I look through a camera than in real life. Just like it probably looked better in photoshop when creative first approved the design. Agree it could be greatly improved.

Is there a CL P1 card?

 

[moa999]

Edit: On the card differential wasn't that the point - its a level above Platinum, but its still Platinum.


bossreggie can answer the CL/P1 card qn.
you certainly get CL and PONE on the boarding pass!

 

[Simo]

I was envisaging that a P1 would get maybe a guest pass in to the CL. IMHO

I was also envisaging that P1's would maybe get a 150% bonus FF points.

I think QF should do some enhancements for it's 3000 odd members.

But lets not dilute what WP's already get.

 

[Pleb Status]

interesting observation - I haven't many issues at all getting a preferred seat in row 23 (actually was bumped from 24A to 23E today but that was due to a switch to intl config 763 from regular 763).

I might keep an eye on that. How many times in T-80 do you recheck to try and get row 23?

To demonstrate, for my flight this weekend on an A330, just before T-80, only three seats had been preselected between row 25 and row 30+ (all three were in row 25). I assume these are the seats blocked for WP only. Minutes after T-80, when rows 23 and 24 opened up, only 24A/B were available. As row 23 on an A330 is an exit row, they could not be blocked as bassinet seats which can sometimes occur on a 767.

Only WP1 or CL should have been able to preselect these seats prior to T-80. The same thing happened on my other 767 flight this weekend where no seats opened at T-80 (a lot of seats had been preselected on this flight prior to T-80 indicating a fair few WP on the flight).

Prior to WP1, I rarely had a problem getting row 4/23 if I changed seats right on T-80. It is now more the exception than the rule. I can sometimes snag a better seat between T-80 and T-24 but it is also rare.